Bailey Middleton

Bailey Middleton
Author

(she/her/hers)

Bailey is a third year double majoring in Biology and Global Studies with a concentration in Public Health. She is interested in health disparities amongst minority and marginalized populations in the United States, and the impact of mental health on a person’s physical health and well being. When she isn’t writing for Iris, Bailey is working on maternal health research, or volunteering with UVA’s chapter of Lean on Me. She also enjoys doing yoga and going to poetry open mic nights! 

Two hands clasped

To my friends, 

You are the pieces of my puzzle that make me whole. This is for you :)    

image of grey flowers on a black

In the United States, including all 50 states and Washington D.C, only 7% of professors are Black, despite Black people making up about 13% of the total population.

graduation tassle

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what my life will look like after graduation. What job will I have? Will I be rich? Will I be happy? 

image of roses in vases

In the quiet nights of winter 
The air sighs with an icy chill 

clocks on starry background

After watching the Oscar-winning movie Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, I was intrigued by how the characters were able to jump through dimensions and experience different realities based on the choices they made.

rosey swirl pattern

I want to get a workout in today. Should I go to the gym? No, that’s too scary. Actually, never mind, I'll go lift so I can feel strong and productive. Ok now that I’m here I’m really nervous. I kinda want to go home, but I'll just go inside anyway. I can do this! 

hand on pink background

Have you ever been lit on fire? I have. Seven times precisely. Some might call it bad luck, but being set alight didn’t hurt me, it made me feel alive.

Image of the progress flag

It fills my body 
Fills my body so full of light 
I am almost bursting at the seams with 
Joy so infectious I cannot avoid it if I wanted to

shopping tags

Is “fast fashion” really that bad if it's affordable? 

Image of paintbrush with red splatters

Red splashed against Presley's face, staining her clothes and caking in her hair. She grabbed her brush again and hurled the paint through the air with a guttural scream – the drops separating from the brush and splattering on the paper.

Image of a raised fist

 An Exploration of the True Intentions Behind UVA’s Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

image of a ladybug taking flight

Every Sunday, as I sit at a desk in the library, or whatever other study space I have chosen for the day,